PUDUCHERRY:Expressing fisherfolk’s concern over the ravaged marine and coastal resources, NFF chairperson M Ilango said the marine ecology has been affected by the industrial pollution, sewage and plastic waste of the urban regions, as a result of which the fish resource was affected.
“The non-ecological fishing practices continued by the corporate houses and the decision to allow more drilling points in the sea for fuel and petroleum gas, seismic survey and many privatisations in the sea by way of protected cage farming and floating resorts are also causing damage to the marine ecology in their own manner and levels,” he said, while explaining the decision of the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) executive committee meeting held at Vishakapattinam a few days back.
Ilango said, “The coastal environment is perhaps more affected than the sea. Everybody wants the coast: the industrial houses, the resorts, water sports, theme parks, the farm houses, aquaculture farms and now real estates too are interested to create new settlements for affluent people.” He said efforts were taken to dislocate the fisherfolk and the fishermen have defeated it in 2011 through the amended CRZ notification.
“However, the powerful profit motives are making efforts to occupy the coast and evict the fishermen communities or cause damage to them and to the environment through their presence and activities. Some of such interventions cause irrevocable damage to the coastal environment. Simple ‘cleaning of the coast’ is appreciable but it would have miniscule positive impact when compared to the damage done.”